You cannot buy your way into heaven. Jesus spoke severely with the Pharisees, teachers of the people (Lk 11:42), and the lawyers (Lk 11:46). They thought just because they knew the Law and the ropes that they could buy their way into the kingdom of God. God "will repay every man for what he has done" (Rm 2:6).
We look about us today and often ask: "Why do the evil prosper and the good suffer? Why do we see no justice among those thirsting for justice today? Why do we see repression throughout so much of our modern world?" The answers are not always clear and precise, but the answers to all these questions can be resolved only by God, Who shows no partiality (Rm 2:11) and Who cannot be bribed. He knows of no privileged class, nor is He a respecter of the high and mighty of this world (cf Mt 22:16).
All evil will be punished (Rm 2:9) and no one will escape from His strong right hand. Our lives must be lives of men and women dedicated to assisting one another and not lording it over one another (Mt 20:25-27).
| PRAYER: | Triune God, help me to accept my place in life and realize You show no partiality to any human being. |
| PROMISE: | "There will be glory, honor, and peace for everyone who has done good." –Rm 2:10 |
| PRAISE: | St. Ignatius' only fear about his approaching martyrdom was that Christians would work for his release and deny him the glory of giving his life for Jesus. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College